Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
It looks like there might be some trouble brewing at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. According to this forums post, the Boise National Forest has plans to dismantle the improved pools.
Here’s the post:
I have had a very disturbing conversation with the district ranger Boise National Forest, area around Crouch. Includes these hot springs. They told me that these rebuilt pools are going to be “dismantled” because there was no permit issued for the building of them. I have written a letter with a copy to his boss. District Ranger attn: John Erickson 1805 Hwy 16 Rm #5 Emmett 83617. His boss is Boise National Forest attn: Ceilia Seesholtz at 1249 Vinnell Way suite 200 Boise 83709 . Above the Social Security office just west of the Wal Mart on Overland. We need H E L P and more people to protest the destruction of these awesome pools. lhp2658@q.com But the pools are still awesome, and today “election day” we had them all to ourselves, with only 3 vehicles on the road!
My thoughts, based on past/present visits and submitted hot springer trip reports:
Before the pools were improved:
- (-) The terrain was more dangerous to navigate. The best pools to soak in were located near the top of the source; a slick, steep climb.
- (+) The pools were natural in design, (-) save for tarps used that deteriorated and entered stream systems (tarps have fungi that cannot naturally be broken down, fish eat it, animals eat – then we eat it).
- (-) Poor pool construction meant poor water flow; pools often contained stagnant water.
After the pools were improved:
- (+) The overall level of trash at the hot springs and pullout has been dramatically reduced.
- (-) There is an increased potential for overuse and abuse, which typically leads to vehicle vandalism and other assorted problems that occur at some of the more popular easy-access public hot springs. However, Rocky Canyon is somewhat off the beaten path in regard to typical easy-access classified soaks.
My question to the forest service is why Rocky Canyon? There are many other improved soaking pools in the Boise National Forest that I doubt have permits and are notorious trouble-makers. If you target one, don’t you have to go after them all? Maybe I’m missing something.
What are you thoughts? Should Rocky’s pools be dismantled or preserved?
[where: Crouch, ID]
| Posted in commentary, crouch, garden valley, rocky canyon | 8 Comments »
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007
FYI The Middle Fork Road north of Crouch Idaho (FSR 698) is closed just past the fork to Silver Springs Plunge. That is, if snow hasn’t already closed the road.
You can still make it to Fire Crew, but put your plans for Boiling Springs, Pine Burl, Moondipper, Groundhot and Butterfly on hold. If Fire Crew is your destination, good luck, the pools are sizzlin hot!
Thanks Nick for the update, as well as everyone else for sending in other updates. I’ll get the rest up soon.
Peace outside, HSG
| Posted in boiling springs, breaking news, commentary, crouch, fire crew | No Comments »
Rocky Canyon Ruckus
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
It looks like there might be some trouble brewing at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. According to this forums post, the Boise National Forest has plans to dismantle the improved pools.
Here’s the post:
My thoughts, based on past/present visits and submitted hot springer trip reports:
Before the pools were improved:
After the pools were improved:
My question to the forest service is why Rocky Canyon? There are many other improved soaking pools in the Boise National Forest that I doubt have permits and are notorious trouble-makers. If you target one, don’t you have to go after them all? Maybe I’m missing something.
What are you thoughts? Should Rocky’s pools be dismantled or preserved?
[where: Crouch, ID]
| Posted in commentary, crouch, garden valley, rocky canyon | 8 Comments »